Cleaning!

I haven't cleaned any machines since last fall, before I hurt my elbow.  It's hard to turn the hand wheel and screwdrivers when your elbow hurts.  Since my elbow is doing better, I decided that it's time to clean some machines.

First, a friend asked me to see if I could get his machine to stitch.  He'd loaned it out, and, when he got it back, it wouldn't pick up stitches.  First, I cleaned the machine, then I got it stitching.  I didn't get any 'clean' pictures, but, here is the machine.

Gene's Kenmore

Last fall, Deborah asked me if I wanted a vintage sewing machine that she had.  She had bought it to restore it, but, never got around to restoring it.   Hubby and I picked it up after Thanksgiving, but, because of my elbow, I hadn't had a chance to clean it up and see if it stitched.  It doesn't have a power cord, but, it has the foot control.  I think I can wire in the power control, but, I didn't have the wiring.  I might rewire this later. 

Japanese Post WWII series 15

back, before cleaning

missing the bobbin case

grime, and bobbin tire is brittle

grime under the motor area

First, I took as many parts off this machine as I could, and cleaned them.

nice and shiny now

 This is what was left, needing to be cleaned.

poor, naked machine

This machine had a hard life.  There are holes in the metal to the bobbin area.

2 needle holes in the thin metal, by my thumbnail

This machine cleaned up nicely.  There is some discoloration from old oil, that won't come off, but, it's fine for a machine that is about 70 years old.

all cleaned up

clean machine

I got some sewing machine attachments, including a 15 series bobbin case, off the freebie table at my large quilt guild, a few weeks ago,   I used the bobbin case for this machine, along with one of the bobbins.  

For the moment, at least, this is a hand crank.  I think I'll go find some paint to match the old hand wheel, and paint the new, spoked hand wheel and hand crank to match (or get hubby to do the painting).

old hand wheel against black spoked hand wheel and hand crank

I don't think I could match that lovely turquoise, but, I might be able to.  I'd have to take the whole machine in with me, since there isn't any removable parts on it that are turquoise. 

While all the cleaning stuff was out, I decided to clean another machine. 

Last weekend, at the quilt show, I got a little Singer 99K.  It came in a cabinet that is in pretty bad shape.  The only way to save that cabinet is to sand it down and paint it.  Most of the veneer is chipped off of it.  I hate to get rid of a 3/4 size sewing machine cabinet, since they don't come around very often.  I might work on it when the weather gets warmer.

This machine was FILTHY!

bobbin case area

back of machine with motor removed

dirty bobbin winder

This machine took a lot longer to clean, because of all the grime on it.

just a few of the cotton balls I used to clean this machine

There was lots of dried on oil all over this machine, and, old oil attracts dirt and lint.  I had a hard time getting the feed dogs out of this machine because it was 'glued' to the machine. 

The motor works on this machine, but, it runs slowly.  I won't use the light, since the wiring to the light is bad.  Not sure I can rewire it, since I can't find where to get to the wires on the light itself.  I may disconnect it later, just in case.

This machine cleaned up nicely, even if it did take more time than the other machines.

cleaned machine, great decals

back of cleaned machine

I can't get this to stitch properly.  I think it needs more cleaning (presser foot doesn't like to go all the way down). There is probably more dried on oil on the presser foot bar.  Also, the stitches are really bad underneath.

underneath stitches

Not sure if I was so tired that I threaded it incorrectly, or, I just couldn't get the tension adjusted..  For the moment, this machine is waiting for more work.  I had to put it away, since it was dinner time. 

The only stitching I got done today was testing stitches on all three machines.  At least two of the machines stitch nicely after they were cleaned. 

Have you cleaned and oiled your machine lately????? 

2 More Finishes

The last 2 purses are finished!  That makes 7 different bags/purses made this month.  Whew!  I think I'm tired of purses.

3 of the purses/bags reached their destinations yesterday, and were greeted enthusiastically. 

These 2 were mailed today, and are eagerly anticipated by Betty.

Betty selected these fabrics back in January.  The last 2 purses will be given as presents in the next few months. 

Now to figure out what to work on next. It's not like I don't have a l-o-n-g list of 'to do' projects, but, I just don't know what I 'want' to work on right now.  I think I have the yucky weather doldrums.

I'm in charge of my little quilt guild's meeting next month (next Monday) and I can't figure out what I want to 'demo' or teach.  Since we are so little, we teach each other different things every month.  Any ideas????  I taught ribbon bookmarks in February, and Jinnie had kits for us to make  wool needle keepers in March.  It's always hard to come up with ideas, and only a few of us are willing to stand up and teach something. 

Camp Tuckabatchee Quilt Show

This is the third time I've gotten to attend the Camp Tuckabatchee Quilt Show in Ottawa, IL.  They hold it every 2 years, but, for many years, I was shuttling boys around during Spring Break, and had to miss this show.

This is one of my favorite quilt shows, not just for the quilts, but, for the Treadle Races and the great fabric and notions sale they have every year.  Two years ago, they didn't have the Treadle Races, since the lady who does them, had to miss, last minute, with both of her parents in the hospital at the same time.  Four years ago, I won the Treadle Races.

The show started off great, as hubby won a door prize as we entered.

hubby's door prize, that he gave to me

Next stop is the fabric and notions area.  As I was looking on the tables, hubby looked under the table and found me a sewing machine rolling case.  Hubby is a keeper!

rolling sewing machine case hubby found

Well, with all that room in the case, I needed to fill it up.  First, I found some great fabrics.

LOTS of yardage

Then I found some quilt blocks.

13 blocks, 12.5" square

Then I found some great zipper bags.

2 zipper bags

Someone had donated Drunkards Path templates along with a set of Curve Master feet and the special tweezers that went along with the feet.

Drunkards Path templates, Curve Master set

Of course, I had to check out the books, too.  Hubby said I really needed the last book.

Sunbonnet Sue books

Hoochy Mama book

Then I spied a sewing machine cabinet.  Of course, I always have to look, to see what's inside.  The cabinet is a mess, but, this was hiding inside.

1951 Singer 99K #EG381111

Made at the Kilbowie factory in Clydebank, Scotland

For the price, hubby knew it was going home with us!


While hubby loaded my purchases into the car, I headed over to the quilts.  It was a mixture of new and vintage quilts. 

one of the challenge quilts

great border on this one

up close of the deer, their ears stick out, and the tails are made with yarn

I loved the story with this next one.  A lady showed a new quilter some blocks she had embroidered in 1947.  Each block shows the state and it's flower.  There were only 48 states at that time.  The new quilter thought she could turn these into a quilt.  When the longarm quilter finished with the quilting, the new quilter called the lady's son, who said that the lady had just been put in hospice care at her home.  The quilt was quickly delivered, and the lady enjoyed her quilt during the last days of her life.

quilt made from blocks stitched in 1947

block maker with her finished quilt, the last few days of her life

There were some vendors at the quilt show, too.  I only took a few pictures.  I'm sure you'll figure out why when you see them.

red Featherweight

the featherweight was used to piece most of these quilts

Of course, I had to take pictures of the booth with the vintage machines, too.  Marianne (who owns the treadles) was teaching two young ladies how to sew on the treadles.  Most of the rest of the machines belong to Cathy (who was off teaching Make & Take).

young ladies learning how to use treadles

a few of her toys and toy irons

some of her machines

some of Cathy's tiny machines & salt & pepper shakers

  I had to take home some of those tiny machines and salt & pepper shakers.  Here is what I brought home.

3 sets of Salt & Pepper shakers

2 tiny machines (each about 1" long)

While I was paying for these, Marianne called me to come be in the Treadle Races.  She lost 4 years ago, since her thread broke.  She wanted to beat me this time.  We sewed on the same treadles as we sewed on last time.

Getting ready to sew (I need my bifocals to see what I'm doing)

Sewing away!

Marianne 'thinks' she is winning

Done!

Woohoo!  I won again!

This is the lovely New Home treadle I was sewing on, and my finished block.

winning block, and New Home treadle

 I won a prize!

my prize and my block

What a fun day!  Marianne said that she'll beat me next time.  We'll see......

I hope your Saturday was a fun as mine was!